Two-wheel swiveling and equalizing crane-truck



l. D. THOMAS. TWO WHEEL SWIVELING AND EQUALIZlNG CRANE TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-4.1919.

Patented June 7, 1921.

entrain stares IVOR D. THOMAS, 013 CLEVELAND OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THE WELLIHAN- SEAVER-IIIORGAN COIHPANY, 0Z5 CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CGRPOBATION OF OHIO.

TWO-WHEEL SVJIVELENG- AND EQUALIZI'NG CRANE-TRUCK.

nascent.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented JuneQ, 1921.

Application filed Qctober 4, 1919. i Serial No. 323,504.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, lvon D. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residin at Cleveland Heights in the county of (luyahoga and State of tain new and useful improvement in Two- Wheel Swiveling and Equalizing Crane Trucks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a two-wheel swiveling and equalizing crane truck and drive for the same.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a practical and etlicient two-wheel truck connected to the crane structure for equalizing movementabout a transverse axis to compensate for track irregularities, and a swiveling movement about a vertical axis so that the crane can be caused to travel about a curved track as readily as alon straight track, and without unnecessary wear on the of the truck wheels, and to accomplish this without interfering with,

' or in the least deranging the driving means connected to the truck.

Further, the invention aims to obtain swiveling action with a swiveling spindle through which the load is transmitted to the truck, but w iich is independent of the driving means.

A further object is to provide a construction which enables the truclr to be readily removed and run from beneath the crane without requiring that the crane be jacked up, as has been customary with all prior constructions of which I am aware.

Additionally the invention aims to pro vide a device by which the truck can be held against swiveling movement and locked in fixed position in alinement with the rails when the crane is to be used on a straight track, and may be released so that the swiveling action can be had when the crane is to travel around a curve.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of the lower portion of a crane showing a truck embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view showing a portion of the overhead driv ing mechanism and illustrating two trucks on opposite ends of the crane, the truck atthe left hand side of the figure. being shown in section substantially along the line AA of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and the truck at the right- (llhio, have invented a cerhand side of the figure being shown in section substantially along the line B-B of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. I

As my invention resides particularly in the truck and in the driving mechanism, the crane structure itself is not illustrated, except the parts which directly cotiperate with thetruck and drive mechanism, and including in this instance the bottom sills 10 through which the load of the crane is transmitted to the trucks, and a portion of the superstructure 11 which extends between the ends or legs-of the crane and supports among other things the propelling mechanism.

My invention is applicable to different types of cranes, but has especial utility in that type comprising an upper horizontal bridge over which hoisting and conveying.

mechanism is adapted to be run, and provided at ends with legs, at the bottom of which are end sills such as indicated at 10, which are connected to the trucks, fourof which are usually provided, two at one end and two at the other, the wheels of each pair running on one of the two rails of the track.

Each truck includes a frame, preferably in the form of a casting12, in which are iournaled the two tracl: wheels 13, 13, of the trucl-r. The truck is mounted for equalg' movements to compensate for irreguwill be observed that the boss or eye .16 of I the spindle is between the bosses 15 of the truck casting so that the truck will have its equalizing movement about the transverse of the pin 14, independently of the spindle, but will have its swiveling action with the spindle. It will be observed also that the connection between the lower end of the spindle and the truck is such as to support the latter in upright position and prevent it tipping sidewise.

It will be seen by reference particularly to the left hand side of Fig. 2, that all but the lower part of the spindle 17 is received in a bearing member in the form of a casting 18, which is set in between the side plates of the sill and is secured therein preferably by riveting as shown. It will be observed also that the lower part of the casting 18 has a circular opening in which an intermediate part of the spindle has a close but working fit so that the spindle is held firmly in upright position, but nevertheless may have a swiveling action in the casting. The part of the spindle which engages the lower part of the casting is annular or cylindrical, but from this part the spindle tapers to the reduced upper end which engages step bearing plate 19 seated within a socket of a cap 20, securely held in the upper part of the casting. I prefer that the cap 20 be held in place and be connected to the cast ing by a bayonet joint so that by lowering the cap into the casting and turning it, it will be locked in position, and by turning it in the reverse direction it may be lifted from the casting. The bearing plate 19 has a spherical. recess which receives the top of the spindle which is part spherical.

A good bearing is thus provided for the transmission of the load from the sill to the spindle and from the latter to the truck, but nevertheless should it be desired to replace the bearing plate 19, this can be readily done by turning the upper cap to unlocking position and then lifting it out of the casting. After this is done the spindle also. can be lifted up through the casting after driving out the horizontal pin 14: which connects the lower part of the spindle to thet-ruck casting, and this will permit the truck to be run from beneath the sill after the driving parts, (to be rcferred to presently) are disconnected. To permitthe cap 20, hearing plate 19 and spindle 17 to be lifted up through the casting 18, openii'igs are provided in those parts, such as shown at 21, normally closed by a plug in the cap, the openings in the bearing plate 19 and top f the spindlebeingpreferably threaded to receive suitable lifting instruments such as an eye-bolt which will enable these parts to be lifted up through and above the sill and then to be removed laterally from the leg of the crane.

It is important in a swiveling and equalizing truck that'the swiveling and equalizing movements be obtainedwithout interfering with or interference by the propelling mechanism. This is accomplished in the following manner. Each truck which is propelled, carries a short vertical shaft section 22, rotatably mounted in a yolre 23 which is secured to the truck casting. This shaft section has a bevel gear 2% which engages bevel gear 25 secured to a shaft carrying one of the truck wheels 13. This shaft section is connected by universal coupling members 26, to an upper-vertical shaft seetime 2 7 suitably supported. tllIOugh brackets 28 on the crane structure. This shaft section 27, generally extends up to the bridge of the crane, and is provided at its upper end with a bevel gear 29 engaging a bevel gear 30 on the upper horizontal shaft 31 which is driven through gearing 32 by a motor 33. Power is usually applied for propelling purposes to at least one truck at each end of the crane, and generally the shaft 81 is extended along the br dge so as to drive both trucks as shown in Fig. 2, the driving mechanism at one end being a duplicate of that at the other end. Of course, if desired, all four trucks may be driven.

' The universal couplings between the shaft sections 22 and 27 include axially movable parts so that the truck has complete freedom of movement about the transverse axis of the pin 14L and about the vertical axis of the spindle 17, and the driving mechanism is equally ellicient in all positions of the truck with respect to the si l. 7

It may be the case that the crane is employed on a straight track for the major portion of the time, in which event the swivcling action is not. required. In fact, as long as the truck is traveling along a straight track, it is preferable that the truck be held in alinement with the track to minimize wear of the wheel flanges. I therefore pre fer to provide means for holding the truck against swiveling movement and in aline ment with the sill or track when the swiveling action is not needed. A simple but effective device for accomplishing this is shown at the right hand side of Fig, 2, consisting of a vertically movable locking bar 34, which can he raised and lowered by a lever projecting laterally through the sill. The

lower end of the bar 34, w ion-the latter is in lowered position, enters a hole or socket 36 the truck casting above the center of the truck wheel 13 to which the driving mechanism is applied, the then preventing the swiveling movement. When the bar '84 is lifted, its lower end clears the casting ontircly, so that the truck is free to swivel.

Having described my invention, 1 claim 1. In combination with a crane structure,

a two-wheel truck comprising a truck frame or cast-ing,a load supporting spindle for holding the truck in upright position and supported in vertical position between the crane structure and truck so that the truck may have swiveling action about its axis and said spindle having a connection with the truck whereby the truck may have an.

equalizing action about a different axis.

2. In combination with a crane structure, a two wheel truck comprising a truck frame or vcasting, a load transmitting spindle mounted in upright position in the crane structure so that the truck may have a swivcling action about its axis, and the truck having a connection wlth the lower end, of

the spindle so that it may have an equaliz ing action about a transverse axis and so that the spindle will hold the truck in upright the truck, the spindle being journaled in the V crane structure for swiveling movement and the truck being connected to the spindle for movement about a transverse axis, said spindle serving to hold the truck in upright position.

at. In combination with a crane structure, a two-wheel truck comprising a truck frame or casting, a spindle arranged between the crane structure and truck and connected to the truck so that the truck may have a swiveling action about its axis and an equalizing action about a different axis, and so that the spindle will hold the truck in upright posi tion, and means for driving the truck independently of said spindle.

5. In combination with a crane structure,

a two-wheel truck comprising a truck frame or casting, a spindle for holding the truck in upright position and mounted in the crane structure so that the truck may have a swiveling action about its axis, and the truck having a connection with the lower end of the spindle so that it may have an equalizing action about a transverse axis, and means connected to the truck to drive the same independently of the spindle.

6. In combination with a crane structure, a two-wheel truck, a spindle extending upwardly from and serving to hold the truck in upright position, and connected to the truck so that the latter may have an equalizing action about a transverse axis, and a bearing member carriedby the truck structure, said bearing member supporting the spindle in upright position so that it may have a swiveling action.

7. In combination with a crane structure, a two-wheel truck, a spindle extending upwardly from and serving to hold the truck in upright position, and connected to the truck so that the latter may have an equalizing action about a transverse axis, the truck structure having means for receiving and supporting the spindle in upright position so that it may have a swiveling action.

8. In combination with a crane structure, a two-wheel truck, a spindle extending upwardly from and serving to hold the truck in upright position, and connected to the &

truck so that the latter may have an equalizing action about a transverse axis, the truck structure having means receiving and supporting the spindle in upright position so that it may swivel about a vertical axis, and including a part which engages the spindle to transmit load from the crane structure to the truck.

9. In combination with a crane structure, a two-wheel truck, a spindle to which the truck is connected for movement about a transverse axis and in a manner such that the spindle holds the truck in upright position, a socketed member supported by the crane structure and receiving the spindle so as to support it in upright position and transmit load thereto.

10. In combination with a crane structure, a two-wheel truck, a spindle to which the truck is connected for movement about a transverse axis, a'load transmitting member carried by the crane structure and receiving the spindle, said member comprising a removable bearing part which engages the upper end of the spindle.

11. In combination with a crane structure, a two-wheel truck, a spindle to which the truck is connected for movement about a transverse axis, and a load transmitting member carried by the crane structure and comprising a part which receives the body portion of the spindle and holds it in upright position, and an upper part removable from the first-named part and adapted to transmit the load of the crane structure to the spindle.

12. In combination with a crane structure, a two-wheel truck, a spindle to which the truck is connected for movement about a transverse axis, and a member carried by the crane structure and. comprising a part which receives the body portion of the spindle and holds it in upright position, and an upper part adapted to transmit the load of the crane structure to the spindle, the upper part being removable, and when removed forming an opening through which the spindle may be lifted.

13. In combination with a crane structure, a two-wheel truck, a spindle supported by the crane structure so that it may swivel about a vertical axis, and said spindle at its lower end having a pivotal connection with the truck so that the latter may have an equalizing action about a transverse axis.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

IVOB D. THOMAS. 

